BRIEFING: In honor of Reading Month, Hansen will read to elementary school students throughout the month of March.

Every year, school children throughout Michigan celebrate “March is Reading Month.” The purpose is to highlight reading as a fun activity that children and parents can do together, while promoting literacy.

LANSING — Measures calling on Congress to submit for ratification an amendment of the U.S. Constitution to require the federal government to operate with a balanced budget were approved Tuesday by a Senate panel.

“Michigan operates on a balanced budget, while the federal government isn’t required to,” said Meekhof, a member of the Senate panel. “Not having to balance the budget is how we end up with a national debt of $14 trillion and an annual budget deficit of $1.3 trillion. Spending more than we bring in is not sustainable and we must try to change the culture in Washington.”

Huizenga, a member of the Balanced Budget Caucus, spoke to members of the committee about the dangers of the country continuing to operate without a balanced budget.

SCR 26 (sponsored by Hansen), SR 115, and HCR 6, urge Congress to adopt and submit to the states for ratification an amendment to the Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

“When I made investments in the grocery store I owned, I could only spend up to the amount of revenue my store generated – not a penny more. Just like our families and job providers, our federal government should also live within its means,” Hansen said. “I look forward to seeing my resolution approved by the Senate. I strongly encourage Congress to act and bring the federal budget and national debt under control.”

SCR 26, SR 115 and HCR 6 now go to the full Senate for further consideration.

LANSING — Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, welcomed Boy Scouts from the 34th Senate District to the state Capitol. The scouts joined Eagle Scouts from the Gerald R. Ford Council, including William Blynn (vice president of the program), to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of Boy Scouting and 100 years of the Eagle Scout award.

The Boy Scouts of America, a community organization that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth, was incorporated on Feb. 8, 1910. Since the Eagle Scout award was first awarded, more than 2.1 million scouts have earned the organization’s highest honor.

Editor’s note: For a print-quality version of this and other Hansen photos, click the image or visit www.SenatorGoeffHansen.com and click the Photowire link.